Welcome to the Victoria Bell Ringers website. We are a group of non-denominational bell ringers who meet at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, twice a week and on special occasions.

On Tuesdays, we practice in the bell tower from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and, on Sundays, we ring the bells from 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Visitors are welcome to climb the tower’s 71 steps to watch during Sunday-morning ringing, and for the first hour of practice nights. The bells are rung on request for weddings and funerals (when it is customary to muffle the sound of the bells) and also for other special occasions. The bells are also usually rung on New Year’s Eve (muffled before midnight) Victoria Day, and (again muffled) on Remembrance Day.

The 10 bells at Christ Church Cathedral were cast at the Whitechapel Bellfoundry in London, England, the first bells being hung in 1936. The two smallest bells were added in 1983 and dedicated by the Bishop of the Diocese, in the presence of the Queen.

The bells are made of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. The ropes are made of flax and the purple part, the sally, is made of wool.

The bells are rung by the Cathedral Guild of Ringers. There is more in mastering the art of bell ringing than might first appear. It takes some practice to learn how to handle a metal bell which swings full circle each time it gives voice – and to place it in coordinated rhythm among its fellows in keeping with a predetermined “method” (change ringing).

For further information, please contact the Cathedral Office at: 250-383-2714.